Thursday, August 19, 1999 Published at 13:25 GMT 14:25 UKUK: ScotlandSalmon farming restrictions liftedA third of salmon farmers have been given the all-clearA third of Scotland's salmon producers who faced tight restrictions because of a deadly fish virus have been given the all-clear to begin farming again.

Infectious salmon anaemia (ISA) has crippled the fish farming industry - causing job losses and leaving it millions of pounds out of pocket.

He added: "But for the farms concerned, the lifting of the movement restrictions, and the freedom from the shadow of ISA which these restrictions implied, will come as a great relief and, hopefully, provide much needed confidence for the future."

The Scottish Salmon Growers Association welcomed the announcement but it is still lobbying for compensation for fish already destroyed because of the virus scare.

The lifting of controls has not found favour with everyone. The Highland Council's land and environment committee has warned the move might be too hasty.

It blamed bad practice for the spread of the disease and argued restrictions should remain in place.

Whether or not Scotland's salmon farmers are successful in winning compensation could depend on a test case which has been referred to the European Court of Justice.

Argyll-based Booker Aquaculture is seeking £600,000 government compensation for destroying turbot after an outbreak of the fish disease VHS.

If the fish farm wins, the Scottish Executive could be forced to pay millions of pounds to farmers whose stocks were destroyed by ISA.